Tissue Responds to Absence of Ambient High EMF

September 25, 2012

Written by Jack Taunton, MSc, MD

Electro magnetic fields (EMF) are well identified and the subject of much discussion among such organizations as the World Health Organization (WHO), BC Hydro, California Hydro, Health Canada and the Tsawwassen power lines group, also in British Columbia. These organizations primarily discuss health problems caused by the presence of EMF, in association with cellphones, microwave ovens and power lines. A somewhat different perspective is to examine what happens in the absence of ambient EMF. Clinical research, including research involving fibromyalgia patients, has been published showing that the absence of EMF decreases chronic pain.

Sources of EMF Research
EMF is a magnetic field inherent in both natural and manmade environments. The most commonly measured range is 60 hertz, which is also the range associated with common use of household electricity. An example of the opposite and higher range is associated with diagnostic X-ray.

Information regarding the effects of the low range of EMF is compiled by international organizations such as WHO through “The International EMF Project” and Health Canada through its website section “It’s Your Health, Electric and Magnetic Fields at Extremely Low Frequencies.” EMF-specific research is also conducted by researchers in many countries – their findings can be sourced with a simple Internet search. Phrases searched in Google or PubMed that include “EMF cell” or “EMF wound closure” generate pages reporting on ongoing research on EMF.

In Canada, the Lawson Health Research Institute includes its Bioelectromagnetics Society (BEMS), which has an international reputation for, and expertise in, research regarding the biological effects of static and time-varying magnetic field (MF) exposures and stimulations.

The international interest and research is limited to concerns regarding the long-term harmful effects of low-range EMF and short-term therapeutic results of low-range EMF. The discussion regarding the potential harm from low-range EMF is expressed in terms of prolonged exposure to cellphones and power lines.

Applications in Health Care
Clinical EMF is applied in hospitals to support healing of and provide relief from chronic pain conditions. Devices used to generate low EMF ranges in hospital and clinical settings have been shown to promote some specific recovery of injury, including fracture and chronic pain. Pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMF) are reported to be used in 78 per cent of hospitals in the United States in the healing of non-union fractures.1 The published article titled Pulsed Electromagnetic Fields and Low Intensity Pulsed Ultrasound in Bone Tissue, reports on the metabolism of bone tissue and the integrity of joint cartilage.

Studies are now beginning to highlight another and higher range of EMF that is associated with improved cell function of the body’s connective tissue with no risk of harm to date.2 The range of this EMF is 300 megahertz to four gigahertz.

Absence of EMG plays a role
Two important findings are demonstrated by this research: one is that the absence of ambient high EMF is also responsible for cellular response, and the other is that the range of conditions that respond to the absence of ambient high EMF is consistent with the same tissue class, namely, connective tissue. The list of conditions that react to this environment is expanding with continued observation and research.

It is paramount to understand that when noting the multiple symptoms or conditions that respond, these symptoms are not created by existing ambient high EMF.

The conditions reported in literature, as well as recorded in clinical settings and observations from users, range from reduction in pain or enhanced recovery of:

phantom limb pain experienced by amputees3

persons experiencing fibromyalgia4

delayed onset muscle syndrome following exercise and athletics5

reduced spectral power of brainwaves6

reduction of pain from carpal tunnel syndrome

reduction of pain and swelling of chronic knee conditions

reduction of muscle pains and hot flush of menopause

These are some of the documented symptoms and conditions that respond to the absence of ambient high EMF. Clearly, the conditions themselves are not created by, or exist due to, ambient high EMF. There is, further, an association with low EMF, since low EMF influences a cell’s normal physiology. When we consider existing treatment by devices creating primarily low EMF, a similar or enhanced benefit occurs in the absence of ambient high EMF.

What does this mean?
These findings begin to facilitate an unprecedented discussion and understanding of basic cell function with respect to EMF in our everyday environment whether normal/ambient or manmade.

Most notably, in the measurable and visible effects on tissue, two dramatic things are found:

We should not limit our thinking to only low EMF, and

The absence of high EMF has unprecedented effects on common chronic conditions and the speed in which they change and improve.

Further studies on the range of symptoms and their improvement rate are planned based on existing studies. As well, further observations including wound closure, reduction of swelling and chronic pain, and reduction of hot flashes will be recorded.

Finally, the development of devices for shielding this ambient high EMF may have therapeutic value for patients who have these symptoms or conditions.

Ke Wu, Amirsaman Sajad, Syed A. A. Omar, and William MacKay. The effect of high frequency radio waves on human brain activity: an EEG study. University of Toronto Journal of Undergraduate Life Sciences, Vol 3, No 1 (2009).

Dr. Jack Taunton is a professor in the Faculty of Medicine, Division of Sports Medicine and the School of Kinesiology, at the University of British Columbia. Dr. Taunton was the chief medical officer (CMO) for Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games and for Canada at the Sydney Olympics, two Pan American and two World Student Games. He was the women’s team physician and association co-ordinating physician for Field Hockey Canada for more than 25 years. In addition to having a clinical practice in sports medicine at the Allan McGavin Sports Medicine Centre, which he cofounded, he has a keen interest in overuse injuries and injury prevention.

Comments

I have a horse who can never run faster due to back injury. I tried different kinds of approach just to ease his pain until someone told me to try PEMF . I never believe them but when I tried it I was amazed. My horse cannot still run faster but it certainly help him to ease the pain of his back.